What does “cognition” refer to? Cognition refers to all the mental processes involved in acquiring, storing, and using knowledge.
Who is a key pioneer in the study of cognitive development in children? Jean Piaget is a key pioneer.
What are “mediational processes”? Mediational processes are the internal mental events (thoughts, perceptions, beliefs) that occur between a stimulus and a response.
According to Schacter’s theory, what is the cognitive component necessary for emotion? Cognitive appraisal (or labeling) of the physiological arousal is necessary.
What is the name of Albert Bandura’s theory that emphasizes learning through observation? Social Learning Theory (or Cognitive-Social Learning Theory).
What type of therapy, developed by Aaron Beck, focuses on changing faulty thinking patterns? Cognitive Therapy.
What is the term for the mental representations of the layout of one’s environment? Cognitive maps.
Who developed Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)? Albert Ellis developed REBT.
How did the cognitive revolution change the focus of psychology? It shifted the focus from solely studying observable behavior (behaviorism) to including the study of internal mental processes like memory, thinking, and problem-solving.
Explain the role of the computer metaphor in cognitive psychology. The mind is compared to a computer’s information-processing system: input (sensation), processing (cognition), storage (memory), and output (behavior).
How does the cognitive approach explain depression, according to Beck? Beck proposed that depression is caused by negative, self-defeating, and irrational thought patterns about oneself, the world, and the future (the “cognitive triad”).
What is the main goal of Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)? To identify and challenge irrational beliefs (often containing “musts,” “shoulds,” and “oughts”) and replace them with more rational, adaptive beliefs.
How does observational learning differ from trial-and-error learning? Observational learning occurs by watching others, without direct reinforcement or personal trial-and-error. It is a cognitive process involving attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation.
What is the significance of Tolman’s research on latent learning? It demonstrated that learning can occur without immediate reinforcement and remain hidden until needed, suggesting the formation of cognitive maps and challenging the behaviorist view that reinforcement is necessary for learning.
How do personal constructs, according to Kelly, influence our perception of the world? Personal constructs are the cognitive frameworks we use to interpret and predict events. They shape how we perceive and interact with our social world.
What is the role of “self-efficacy” in Bandura’s social-cognitive theory? Self-efficacy is the belief in one’s own ability to succeed in specific situations. It influences what activities we choose, how much effort we put in, and how long we persist in the face of challenges.
How does the cognitive approach view the relationship between thinking and emotion? The cognitive approach posits that our thoughts (cognitions) directly influence our emotions. How we interpret or appraise a situation determines how we feel about it.
A person who is afraid of public speaking might think, “I’m going to embarrass myself.” A cognitive therapist would identify this as a ________. Negative Automatic Thought or Irrational Belief.
After watching a violent cartoon, a child hits their sibling. This is an example of ________. Observational Learning (or Modeling).
A student uses a mental image of their house to remember a list of items for a test. This technique uses a ________. Cognitive strategy (specifically, the Method of Loci, which relies on a cognitive map).
A person stuck in traffic appraises the situation as a “waste of time” and feels frustrated. If they reappraised it as “a chance to listen to music,” their emotion might change. This illustrates the cognitive theory of ________. Emotion (specifically, the role of cognitive appraisal).
A manager believes, “My employees are lazy and need constant supervision.” According to Kelly’s theory, this is a ________ that influences the manager’s behavior. Personal Construct.
In REBT, a client says, “I must get an A on this test, or I am a total failure.” The therapist would help them change this to a more rational belief like ________. “It would be preferable to get an A, but my worth is not determined by one test grade.”
A person has high self-efficacy for learning a new language. How might this affect their behavior? They would be more likely to enroll in a language class, put in consistent effort, and persist through difficulties.
How might a cognitive psychologist explain why two people experience the same event (e.g., a job rejection) differently? They would explain that the different emotional reactions are due to the different ways the individuals cognitively appraise the event (e.g., one sees it as a personal failure, the other as a learning experience).
